Former NBA centre Kevin Duckworth dies
Former NBA centre Kevin Duckworth died Monday night at the age of 44.
Duckworth was in Lincoln City in northwest Oregon for a youth basketball clinic when he collapsed and died, according to a statement released by the Portland Trail Blazers. The cause of death was not immediately known and an autopsy is planned.
The seven-foot Duckworth was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the 1986 draft but traded early in his rookie season to Portland, where he would spend seven seasons.
Duckworth averaged more than 15 points and six rebounds per game between 1987 and 1991. He was with the Trail Blazers as they made two trips to the NBA finals (1990, 1992).
“Today is an extremely sad day for the Trail Blazers family,” team president Larry Miller said in a statement. “Kevin will be remembered by fans as one of the most popular and recognizable players to ever wear the Blazers uniform, but to people who knew him, he’ll be remembered as one of the warmest and biggest-hearted.”
He also played with the Washington Bullets, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers before ending his career in 1997.
In 684 career NBA games, he averaged 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Duckworth settled in the Portland area after retiring from the NBA. He is survived by his mother and a sister.
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